Posted on 11/11/2007 5:20:17 PM PST by Graybeard58
An Atlanta megachurch took in $69 million in 2006, according to a financial statement the church's minister released in response to a Senate investigation into him and five other well-known televangelists.
The Rev. Creflo Dollar disclosed the World Changers Church International's financial information to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, but said the money he spends is his own.
Dollar said his income comes from personal investments, including businesses and real estate ventures. But the church gave him a Rolls Royce, which he mainly uses for special occasions, he said.
"Without a doubt, my life is not average," he said. "But I'd like to say, just because it is excessive doesn't necessarily mean it's wrong."
Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa, the top Republican on the Senate Finance Committee, launched an investigation into the finances of six ministers after hearing reports of some preachers' lavish and opulent lifestyles. In a letter last week, he requested answers by Dec. 6 to questions about their executive compensation and amenities, including use of fancy cars and private jets.
(Excerpt) Read more at kansascity.com ...
Another reason churchs
You don't have the ability to reign in your animosity towards the Church.
Give some relief to anything tonite, I guess your hatred might consume that and spend it.
Oh yeah? How much did YOU give to the Reverend?
Try giving that same amount (probably zero $) to the government and you will see a big difference between the two.
I trust these TV preachers more than I trust Congress with my money.
You don’t know me nor my many years working in the church.
Depends. Newer ones, yeah. But the pre-1970s Rolls Royces and Bentleys are a different story.
And having a Rolls Royce engine in one's P-51 Mustang is an indication of serious class, of course ;)
Most of these shysters are con artists using religion to scam people.
OK - Why would I want to go there? I have no void in spiritual life. Just a basic “Mass on Sunday, say my prayers” Catholic who tries to remain open to whatever God has in mind for me.
I see your words. Were they incorrect?
I don’t think churches should have “real estate ventures.” So wrong in so many ways. But there are legitimate ways a lot of these churches and ministers made fortunes.
It was just an invitation, that’s all! :^)
Chuck Grassley should investigate his own fellow crooks in the senate instead of bugging Christian orgs.
How about checking into the millions that the House of Saud is sending to establish madrassas and mosques..that preach jihad...hey how about it Mr Grassley?
In case anyone is interested, another megachurch in Atlanta took in $114,144,333.00 during the same year.
http://www.archatl.com/offices/2006_Finance_Annual_Report.pdf
But hey, some churches are more “mega” than others.
I guess it’s part of a 20-year cycle.
Another generation of televangelists goeth before a fall.
“This does not seem so bad when you read about the CEOs of big corporations retiring with 50 to a hundred million or more given to them.”
These folks are essentially CEOs of major corporations. Large churches are run like businesses. The talent required to a church like this is in demand so there is pressure to compensate them.
I’m more concerned with their heart than their wallet. If their heart is in the right place then the money will be spent appropriately. I once had a pastor tell me of studies that showed half of the ministers in this one denomination didn’t believe Jesus was the son of God. 3/4’s didn’t think the Bible was the infallible word of God.
That denomination has zero churches of this size as their congregation is leaving in droves.
wow
Brad Pitt?
Matt Damon??
Sean Penn??
Who was the model who just recently refused to be paid in USD, who makes 30 million per year? How much do they earn every year just on the interest of the tens of millions they have invested??
I trust these TV preachers more than I trust Congress with my money
Government agents have no business delving into the affairs of churches/ministries...mosques yes churches no.
An example of where law should intervene is the purchasing and paying property taxes for not just the Minister but the family members who get homes through the ministry also (think Joyce Meyer). THAT is something that should not be allowed tax exemption for the receiver of the 'gift'.
He doesn't read his Bible, obviously.
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